(Jinja) – Seven people lost their lives, and eight others were critically injured early Thursday morning when a commuter taxi, commonly known as a “Drone,” collided with a stationary sugarcane truck on the Jinja-Iganga Highway near Kakira.
The accident, which occurred at approximately 3:00 a.m., involved a Toyota Hiace taxi with registration number UBP 574J traveling from the Iganga area that rammed into the back of a parked sugarcane truck, registration UAF 333B.
Eyewitnesses stated that the taxi, reportedly speeding, was en route from Namisindwa District when it crashed into the rear of the parked truck, instantly claiming six lives.
Emergency responders confirmed that the injured passengers were transported to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital for urgent treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were taken to the hospital’s mortuary.
Mable Asingwire, the Kiira Region Traffic Officer, provided further confirmation of the details surrounding the crash. “The accident resulted in the loss of six lives on the spot, and the injured passengers were taken to the hospital for urgent medical attention,” she stated.
The tragic incident has renewed calls from local authorities for heightened caution on the notorious Kakira stretch of the Jinja-Iganga Highway, a road that has seen numerous accidents in recent years.
Authorities urge motorists to observe safety protocols and reduce speed, especially in high risk, low visibility zones like Kakira, to prevent further tragedies on the highway.
Accident Summary
Details
Date & Time
Thursday, 3:00 a.m., November 14, 2024
Location
Jinja-Iganga Highway, Kakira
Vehicles Involved
Toyota Hiace (UBP 574J) and Truck (UAF 333B)
Casualties
Seven killed on spot, eight critically injured
Hospital
Injured taken to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital
Highway Concerns
Kakira stretch notorious for accidents
Local residents and road safety advocates are expressing growing concerns over this stretch of the Jinja-Iganga Highway, urging authorities to consider stricter traffic enforcement, clearer signage, and additional speed bumps in highrisk areas like Kakira to reduce the frequency of deadly accidents.
